300 sequel rules at the box office

The 300 sequel Rise Of An Empire ravaged the post-Oscars box office weekend around the world.

The follow up to the 2007 movie - which stars Eva Green, Lena Headey and Sullivan Stapleton - took in £52.4 million internationally.

Though the film is excessively macho, it is thought former Bond girl Eva may have drawn females to cinemas.

"Talk about female empowerment," Jeff Goldstein, head of domestic distribution for Warner Bros said of Eva, who plays villainess Artemisia.

The film, which with flexed torsos and lots of bloodshed further chronicles the ancient battles of the Greeks and Persians, "translates to virtually every culture", according to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak.

"Every country can appreciate the visuals of these movies," he said.

Animated film Mr Peabody And Sherman expanded this weekend, travelling to 36 new markets for an added £12.5 million internationally.

12 Years A Slave drew renewed international interest, making an extra £5.4 million as moviegoers flocked to see the Best Film Oscar winner.